The campaign group Human Rights Watch has accused Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during an attack on southern Israel on 7 October. The report released by HRW alleges that the gunmen breached the Gaza border fence and carried out deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, with 251 others taken as hostages.
The report is based on interviews with witnesses, analysis of social media content, and evidence of the participation of at least four other armed groups alongside Hamas. The report concludes that the attack was planned and aimed at civilians, constituting a crime against humanity.
Hamas has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “lies” and demanding an apology. The group claims that it instructed its gunmen not to target civilians and blames unaffiliated Palestinians and other armed groups for the chaos and mistakes during the attack.
The report calls for further investigation into potential crimes against humanity, including persecution, sexual violence, and extermination. Hamas has rejected the findings and criticized the lack of professionalism and credibility in the HRW report.
The situation remains tense as both sides continue to dispute the events of the attack and the responsibility for the civilian casualties.
